Expectations going into last nite‘s HBO "After Dark" offering was Cotto would
prevail in his WBO jr. welterweight defense against unbeaten, but little known
Colombian power puncher Ricardo Torres, who took the bout on short notice -
and prevail he did, but not before navigating some serious turbulence along
that boardwalk of beauties & bag ladies.
The book on Cotto is, while young at age 24, he performs like a seasoned
veteran that has long graduated all available pugilistic schools of learning -
but once again he displayed extras that have special scribbled over him.
And Torres, the mystery man from Colombia, a young one as well at age 25,
confirmed there’s legit power in them mittens that scored 26 stoppages in his
28 prior outings.
Didn’t take long for the sparks to fly … opening stanza it’s Cotto with a
counter right hand landing flush on the Torres whiskers and down he goes - but
before you can say "quickie," the Colombian clouter has Cotto in trouble late
in the candle.
Stanza two sees a recharged Torres on the offense … questionable knockdown or
not, the wobble in the walk was there for all to see, and the collective fans
in attendance were to be treated to a serious title challenge.
Then stanza three and Cotto displaying the intangibles the special ones have,
refreshed during the 60 seconds interval, he introduces a wicked two-fisted
body attack that hurts his game opponent, and would later drain the life of
the Torres battery.
A tiring Torres remained dangerous even after being dropped by body punches in
round four, when in stanza five he rocks Cotto with a big right hand/inside
left-hook combination. But the success would be a final hurrah, as Cotto
prepped Torres in number six for the big double knockdown closer in seven.
Post Scripts: Miguel Cotto (25-0, 21 KO) ~ in this fan's eyes, the Puerto
Rican dandy already shares second best honors with Ricky Hatton behind
Mayweather among the junior welters. Clearly a student of the game that
combines birth given punching power with ongoing learning skills at each
outing. If sticking to what he does best, he’ll reach the top of the mountain.
Patience while on offense should complete the package. And for those that
watch pro boxing in search of flaws even while the fighter is successful,
this: The perfect past Corley counter-hook was perfecto - the inside lefty
(hook) uppercut that backed the Torres right hands are lethal - so, put a lid
on any questionable Cotto chin construction. When you don’t see a power punch
arriving at the sweet spot it is usually bad news.
Ricardo Torres (28-1, 26) ~ Good news is another fresh
face added to the overloaded jr. welter collection of stars. Combination of
wasting fuel with series of missed opportunities while flailing wildly when
having Cotto hurt in stanzas two and five, coupled with a brutal Cotto body
attack, hinted it would not go 12 rounds. Worth another HBO "After Dark" look
with anyone at number five or below in the standings. Action fighter.
Referee David Fields ~ Was concerned early on he would
inadvertently remove a needed Cotto body game over questionable low blows.
Kudos to Cotto in staying with the game plan. Common sense a great commodity
if it were possible to bag and sell.
